Chapter 346

“Then, Lord Theo, are you planning to head toward Vigo?”

Felix approached Theo after finishing his explanation of the operation.

Truthfully, Theo wanted to do exactly as Felix suggested.

However, a sudden concern crossed his mind.

‘I might get caught up and delayed.’

He considered the possibility that the enemy forces unable to breach Vigo might instead destroy it.

Even if they didn’t know how to open the gates, they certainly knew how to bring them down. So far, they had refrained from doing so, likely because of the treasures inside. However, should those treasures be out of reach or fall into enemy hands, the enemy wouldn’t hesitate to obliterate the structure entirely.

“I’ll stir things up as much as I can before joining you later. Let’s finish reviewing the plan.”

At Theo’s response, Felix immediately brought out a detailed map of the capital region.

The map depicted every street in the capital with precision, even including the classified location of the airship docks.

“Vigo is closer than I expected.”

Vigo was located on a hill directly behind the imperial palace. Its basin-like formation concealed the interior from outside view.

Theo fell silent for a moment, deep in thought.

He mentally mapped out a route, considering where to create chaos so that the Golden Lion Knights could easily seize the airship.

During this moment of reflection, Felix took a deep breath.

His expression revealed a storm of thoughts before he finally spoke.

“...The expected defensive lines of the ‘enemy’ would likely follow their training: this three-way intersection, the forked path, and the narrow route to the imperial palace. With our forces withdrawn, there will be some gaps.”

For the first time, Felix referred to the other knight orders as “enemies.” Theo could only guess at the resolve behind that statement.

“That’s good intel.”

With Felix’s information, Theo quickly completed the strategy he had been formulating in his mind.

“There’s little risk of the defenses weakening. They’ve been trained for this and will follow protocol in the current situation.”

Felix almost voiced a worry but swallowed it back. He knew Theo’s strength and capability, making his concerns seem unnecessary.

“That works.”

Theo’s remark brought a faint smile to Felix’s lips. If the defenses were as tight as they seemed, attention would focus on Theo quickly, making the path to the docks even easier.

“The plan is solid. Let’s all get some rest before we execute it.”

Theo spoke as he casually took a comfortable seat. Felix immediately ordered the knights to rest.

During the rest period, no one among the group uttered a single word. Only their determination and resolve lingered in the air, faintly perceptible like the tension before a storm.

The fleeting moment of rest passed quickly, and soon everyone gathered at the fortress gate.

No speeches were necessary.

Standing at the forefront, Theo turned to face them.

“See you at the docks.”

Felix nodded firmly, his eyes filled with determination.

The fortress gate, tightly sealed until now, slowly creaked open.

Whoosh!

Theo shot forward with incredible speed, and before long, chaos erupted behind him.

The sound of shouting faded into the distance as Felix glanced at his knights and spoke.

“Let’s move.”

Though brief, his words carried weight, and the knights’ gazes lit with resolve as they began their silent advance.

The sky was painted black, with the faint moonlight barely visible.

Yet the streets were brightly illuminated as if it were midday, thanks to torches and glowing magical orbs lining the streets.

‘Well, that saves me the trouble of searching.’

However, this worked to Theo’s advantage.

“There he is! After him!”

The bright streets made Theo an obvious target.

As soon as he was spotted, knights lit up with fervor and began chasing him.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Boom! Boom!

Arrows rained down and magic spells fired in rapid succession. The knights showed no concern for the damage their attacks caused to the city buildings.

‘They’re serious about catching me.’

Judging by their thorough preparations, they had anticipated Theo’s capabilities.

“Too slow.”

Yet Theo effortlessly dodged every attack. There was no sense of urgency or danger—everything moved so slowly that it barely required his attention.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The triple-core engine of his gear hummed deeply.

“What are you waiting for? Stop him! Quickly!”

Following Felix’s intelligence, Theo targeted the junctions where enemy commanders were stationed.

Crash!

Barricades shattered into pieces, scattering debris as bodies were thrown into the air.

The cries of alarm soon gave way to screams, filling the capital with chaos.

***

The military had key positions they needed to defend, so they couldn’t fully commit to pursuing Theo.

‘…I didn’t think it would be this easy.’

Everywhere Theo passed bore clear signs of destruction.

The chaos he left behind significantly drained the stamina of the Second and Third Knight Orders, who were holding defensive lines.

“Kill the ‘traitors’!”

“How dare you still call yourselves the First Knight Order? You disgraceful bastards!”

The scornful accusations, rooted in misunderstanding, struck deeply.

No matter how much they had steeled themselves for the dishonor of being labeled traitors, such words were still alien and painful to hear.

As time passed, shadows loomed over the knights' faces.

‘Minor injuries are unavoidable.’

Even Theo and the Golden Lion Knights were enduring injuries to avoid killing the enemy.

Morale was naturally taking a hit.

‘Even with the best strategy, this is still incredibly challenging.’

This sentiment applied not just to Felix but also to his knights.

Theo’s plan was completely at odds with what Felix had initially envisioned. Seizing control of the Empire’s ultimate weapon—the airship—was the best way to minimize bloodshed and open countless possibilities for the future.

No matter the outcome, securing the airship would give them unparalleled leverage.

“Kill the traitors!”

But the enemy also understood this all too well.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Countless fire arrows began raining down from the sky like a meteor shower.

“Defensive formation!”

At Felix’s command, numerous swords slashed through the air, cutting down the incoming arrows.

Buzz.

For those arrows that couldn’t be intercepted, Lodbrok’s magic created a protective barrier, ensuring no major injuries were sustained.

“Charge! Execute the traitor Felix!”

Cavalry surged from the front, while infantry closed in from behind.

Felix raised his sword and gave a resounding order.

“Wedge formation!”

His booming voice echoed across the battlefield as his knights moved in perfect unison to their designated positions.

Watching this, Lodbrok’s eyes gleamed with intrigue.

‘A wedge formation against cavalry? What an interesting man.’

Felix naturally took the lead, with the soldiers behind him maintaining determined gazes, their eyes locked on his back.

They were all infantry—without horses or shields—yet they charged straight into the cavalry with a wedge formation. It was an audacious tactic, bordering on reckless.

‘That knight commander isn’t foolish.’

Their eyes reflected neither reckless bravado nor futile courage.

What they displayed was overwhelming confidence—a testament to their belief in themselves, one that even Theo and Lodbrok could sense.

“Hooff!”

The Golden Lion Knights took deep breaths, channeling their aura. It was the impenetrable magical defense Theo had witnessed before.

Lodbrok smirked and extended her hand forward.

“I shall honor your courage and resolve.”

Her magic layered onto the knights’ own, reinforcing their defensive aura.

Spurred on by the words of the guardian dragon, the knights’ morale soared to its peak.

As if mere defense wasn’t enough, a flicker of something extraordinary shone in Felix’s eyes.

“Charge!”

His command reverberated through the battlefield.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Clatter! Clatter!

The sounds of galloping hooves and running footsteps grew louder as both sides charged without hesitation.

BOOM!

The two forces collided with a deafening crash.

But the cheers of triumph came from Felix’s side.

“What… What is this? How!?”

The commander at the rear faltered, pulling his reins in confusion.

It was an unprecedented sight.

No matter how unyielding the Golden Lion Knights were known to be, what unfolded now bordered on the surreal.

“Monsters! Have the traitors gained unholy powers!?”

Even as fallen cavalry groaned in pain, they cursed Theo’s forces with venomous words.

“Think about what’s true before throwing around baseless accusations, you pathetic puppets.”

Felix’s cold voice cut through them as he passed.

His words weren’t mere scorn; they came from deep within his heart.

Though many knights from the Second Order could still rise, they hesitated. Instead of picking up their swords again, they simply watched as Felix and his Golden Lion Knights advanced.

“This way.”

Having passed the enemy’s main defensive position, the group now moved stealthily through the capital.

This route had been prearranged with the Emperor, allowing them to bypass further obstacles.

Before long, they arrived at the gates of the airship dock.

The enormous gates were just as formidable and heavily reinforced as those of the imperial palace.

‘No lights.’

Felix frowned at the eerie sight.

There was no way such an important location wouldn’t be guarded.

As they cautiously advanced through the forest, Felix remained on high alert. Yet no resistance arose as they reached the entrance.

At that moment—

“Defend yourselves!”

Whoosh! Whoosh!

At Lodbrok’s low warning, the sharp whistle of arrows slicing through the air echoed around them.

Felix’s eyes widened as a rain of arrows descended.

Behind them lay an invaluable strategic weapon.

Even the avaricious Court Duke wouldn’t risk destroying the airship alongside his enemies—or so Felix thought.

‘Did they anticipate our attack?’

But more shocking than the sudden arrow barrage was Lodbrok’s ability to predict it.

‘There are too many to block completely!’

Yet abandoning the airship wasn’t an option. If the arrows continued to rain down in such volume, it was only a matter of time before a fire ignited.

Boom. Boom.

From the distance came a low, ominous rumble.

Rustle. Rustle.

The forest trembled as the ground began to shake violently.

A chilling wind swept through the area, carrying with it a foreboding sense of something colossal approaching.

“It’s finally here.”

Lodbrok smirked.

Felix turned to her in confusion before shifting his gaze toward the source of the commotion.

BOOM!

From the depths of the dark forest, glowing red eyes emerged, reflecting the faint moonlight.

Felix felt a surge of exhilaration as he looked toward the source of the sound.

There, Theo stood tall, radiating an air of majesty and dominance.

“I’m a little late,” Theo said calmly.